The Boundary Line ( The Lineage Series #3)

Jamie

Thank god me and guys weren't late this time... since the season hasn't started and won't start in September, For coach want us to focus on our position and observes us on what we need to improve on. Coach Bennett and Nia watching me.

I wasn't expecting to be the first name called.

"Sinclair. You're up," Coach said, nodding toward the front of the room.

The rest of the guys turned, smirking, elbowing each other like they were about to watch a reality show. I stood slowly, chest tight. Not because I was nervous about speaking in front of the team—but because she was there.

Nia.

Standing next to Coach like she hadn't just spun my whole damn head last night. Like she hadn't walked into the meeting room in those high-waisted pants, barely glancing my way, like I didn't exist.

But underneath all that? I could still feel that fire. The one that nearly knocked me off my feet when she shoulder-checked me. The one that smirked when she refused to give her last name.

And now she had a clipboard in her hand and my attention whether I wanted to give it or not.

Coach stepped back. "Miss Bennett will be walking you all through mental conditioning over the next few weeks. Today, we're just breaking the ice. Sinclair—you'll go first. Two minutes. Introduce yourself."

I stepped up beside her and spoke into the mic.

"Jamie Sinclair," I said.
"Wide receiver. Rookie. Savannah, Georgia."

The room tensed.
But I didn't flinch.
Didn't blink.

"I'm the son of Elle Sinclair and Luke O'Connor."

Some heads turned. Others froze.

"And I didn't come here to ride the bench. I didn't come here to be another name on a roster."

My voice dropped lower, steel sharp.

"I came to rewrite the playbook. To earn every damn yard. To make sure when this season's over—y'all remember exactly who the hell I am."

Dead silence.

There were a few nods. A couple of guys clapped.

But I could feel her next to me. Listening. Watching.

I glanced her way just once.

She was writing something down.

I hated how curious I was about what it was.

I pretended I wasn't impressed. I circled a few words on my sheet like it was standard. It wasn't. Most of the guys up there were giving generic responses. Rehearsed lines about teamwork and focus. Jamie? He said it like he meant it.

That annoyed me.

I didn't need him to be real.

I needed him to be forgettable.

As coach tells me to get in position, I get into the wide receiver with the rest of the guys as I get my things I pasted most of the guys and throw the ball towards Tre. Etc etc

As Coach Bennett, starts clapping as he said "Good job, Sinclair"

𐦟𐦟𐦟𐦟

Nia

"You going to tell me why you didn't mention your last name last night?" he asked suddenly, like he'd been sitting on that question the whole time.